Caring for Salix Flamingo Trees in Winter: A Complete Guide

With their showy pink-splashed foliage, Salix flamingo trees provide gorgeous color in the garden. But when winter arrives, these deciduous trees lose their leaves, raising questions about winter care. Should flamingo trees be wrapped or given any special treatment to survive the cold months?

In this article we’ll look at how to properly care for Salix flamingo trees during winter for best results.

An Overview of Salix Flamingo

Also called flamingo willow or shrimp willow. Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ is a compact ornamental willow prized for its unique foliage

• Leaves emerge pink, white and green in spring.
• Foliage fades to green in summer.
• Leaves turn yellow and drop in autumn.
• Displays coral-red stems in winter.

This fast-growing, multi-stemmed tree reaches 8-10 feet tall and wide at maturity. Flamingo willows are extremely hardy when mature, rated for USDA zones 4-10.

Getting Your Flamingo Tree Ready for Winter

Taking a few simple steps in late fall will prep your flamingo tree for the cold months ahead:

• Water deeply – Give your tree a good soaking before the ground freezes to prevent winter desiccation.

• Mulch around the base – Apply 2-3 inches of bark mulch to insulate the roots and conserve moisture.

• Prune branches – Trim out any dead or damaged branches to prevent breakage from heavy snow loads.

• Check ties and supports – Ensure trunks of young trees are securely staked, and prune away any rubbing branches.

• Wrap potted trees – Insulate the containers of potted flamingo trees by wrapping them with bubble wrap or burlap.

Take a walk around your Salix in late fall and address any issues to get it winter-ready.

Protecting Flamingo Trees in Winter

Once winter arrives, flamingo willows need very little maintenance or protection in most climates. Here are winter care tips:

• Water during warm spells – If ground thaws, provide water to prevent desiccation damage.

• Don’t fertilize – Fertilizing should cease once trees are dormant until spring.

• No pruning – Avoid pruning once dormant, as this can stimulate growth susceptible to damage.

• Leave leaves – No need to remove fallen leaves from around the base.

• No wrapping required – Mature trees tolerate cold and don’t require any wrap.

• Protect potted trees – Keep containers insulated and move to a sheltered spot.

• Check for animal damage – Watch for browsing and rubbing damage.

Aside from watering during warm spells and protecting potted plants, minimal winter care is needed for established trees.

What to Expect in Winter

In winter, Salix flamingo trees take on a stark beauty:

• Deciduous – Trees will be leafless from fall through winter.

• Dormant – Growth and activity halts once cold dormancy sets in.

• Bare branches – The branching structure becomes visible in winter.

• Coral stems – Bright red twigs provide winter interest.

• Catkins – Male flowering structures may persist on bare branches.

Though flamingo willows lose their signature leaves, the coral stems and branching habit add winter appeal.

Should You Wrap Flamingo Trees in Winter?

Wrapping tree trunks was once a common winter practice, but is no longer recommended for mature, established trees like Salix flamingo.

• Only for young trees – The only trees that may need wrap are very young or thin-barked specimens.

• Can cause damage – Wrapping often causes more issues than it prevents, like rubbing damage.

• Interferes with hardening off – Wraps prevent the gradual hardening needed to withstand winter cold.

• Promotes pests – Wrapping materials can harbor mice and other pests.

• Not needed for cold protection – Once hardened off, flamingo willows tolerate cold without wraps.

The only cases where you may want to wrap the trunks of young Salix flamingo trees is if you experience wide temperature fluctuations with marginal lows, harsh winds, or browsing animal pressure. Otherwise, allow trees to properly acclimate to winter’s cold without interference.

Ongoing Winter Care Tips

Here are some additional pointers for looking after your flamingo trees in winter:

• Clear snow gently with a broom if heavy accumulations cause branch breakage.

• Inspect trees for any signs of animal browsing and take steps to protect if needed.

• Prune away any split or damaged branches to prevent further issues.

• Water occasionally during extended dry periods if soil becomes dry and unfrozen.

• Avoid the use of de-icing salts around trees, as they cause root damage.

• Hold off on major pruning until late winter when the tree is still dormant.

With minimal maintenance, Salix flamingo trees withstand winter beautifully. Just provide ample water before the ground freezes, and add a bit of winter water as needed during dry spells.

Signs of Winter Damage

While Salix flamingo trees are hardy, young or stressed trees may show signs of winter injury:

• Cracked bark – Deep vertical cracks or splits in the bark, often on the southwest side.

• Dead branches – Dieback of twigs and small branches indicates cold damage.

• Slow leaf-out – Delayed or reduced leaf emergence in spring.

• Leaf scorch – Browning at the leaf margins appears in spring due to desiccation.

• Failed leaf development – Leaves may emerge small, distorted or curled due to bud damage.

If you notice these symptoms, prune out any dead wood in early spring. Ensure trees recieve sufficient water going into next winter.

Special Care of Potted Flamingo Trees

Winter care requires some extra attention for Salix flamingo trees growing in containers:

• Move pots to a sheltered area out of excessive wind and cold. An unheated garage is ideal.

• Keep soil moderately moist through winter. Check soil often and water during warm spells.

• Insulate the containers with bubble wrap, burlap or other material.

• Place smaller pots inside large decorative pots for additional insulation.

• Bring pots indoors once temperatures drop below 10°F for extended periods.

Take steps to protect the root system of potted flamingo trees, as roots are more exposed to cold damage in containers.

Ready for Spring Growth

With their graceful forms and coral-red winter stems, Salix flamingo trees remain ornamental even during their leafless dormancy. A small amount of winter preparation and proper watering will keep your specimen thriving. Then you can look forward to the brightly colored new foliage that emerges in spring. Give your flamingo willow a little seasonal care, and you’ll enjoy this beautiful tree year-round.